Hawaii: Extinct plant of the week & a plea to save the forest from ORVs
It’s time for your extinct plant of the week! This week is a little
less depressing than the last few. Clermontia peleana are flowering
trees in the bellflower family. Many Clermontias have beautiful,
showy flowers frequented by birds. Clermontia peleana isn’t actually
completely extinct, though it is in pretty serious trouble. While one
of the subspecies has already gone extinct, the one remaining plant of
another was successfully propagated and a reintroduction program is
underway. The major threats to this species all come from us: habitat
degradation and animals and plants we introduced to the islands.
While
this plant is in Hawaii, I’m going to ask you to take action to
protect a habitat close to my heart (also where one of my research
sites is located) – the Kaibab National Forest. The Kaibab National
Forest is nothing short of spectacular and deserves the highest level
of protection. It’s an incredibly rich and diverse forest that serves
as a refuge for imperiled and biologically important species. Many of
Grand Canyon’s wide-ranging wildlife, particularly mule deer, mountain
lion, and black bear, are dependent on adequate Forest Service as well
as park habitats. Sensitive species, including the northern goshawk
and Abert’s squirrels, nest and forage within the ponderosa forests of
both areas. Off-roading is an incredibly destructive activity and has
already significantly damaged this forest. Write the Forest Service
and urge them to put stricter rules in place.
http://sarcozona.org/2009/01/15/stinkin%E2%80%99-extinction/
— Posted to http://forestpolicyresearch.com via gmail to posterous and
also to forestpolicyresearch@yahoogroups.com